I saw black ashes on the ground where Rona was. My heart dropped.
She was gone.
I collapsed to the floor, knees buckling beneath me, despair pouring into every inch of my body.
Oh, Rona…
My chest ached as I clenched a fist.
We weren't even friends for an hour… But she was bright. She was warm. Like the sun. And now—
"…Oh, Rona." I murmured, voice breaking. Isaac, for once, said nothing—just placed a quiet hand on my shoulder.
Then, someone stepped in front of us.
We both looked up—and I froze.
"Rona?!"
I leapt to my feet and reached out, patting her arms, her cheeks, her shoulders, searching for burns, for wounds, for anything.
"You okay? You're not hurt? No pain anywhere?"
Rona beamed. "Rona is super strong! Fit as a fiddle!" she announced proudly, puffing out her chest.
Isaac looked as stunned as I felt. "What…? I thought you got caught in the flames—"
"I dodged!" Rona sang, then spun in a little circle, dancing her bizarre little jig like this was nothing more than a stage performance.
"Then…" I hesitated, glancing at the still-smoking ash. "Whose ashes are those?"
Isaac squinted. "If my memory's right… someone was standing next to Rona just before it hit."
Rona blinked innocently. "Hmm…? Dunno."
"Ouiii…" Isaac and I stepped back in perfect sync.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
A shrill scream rang through the chamber. A boy slammed against the wall, his voice cracking in panic. "Where's the exit?! GIVE ME THE EXIT! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"
Beep.
The floor beneath him vanished. His scream was cut short as he plummeted down.
Straight into Monica's waiting mouth.
"There's your exit," Mr. James said cheerfully.
"Ouiii… More like an entrance," I muttered. "Doesn't Monica ever get full?"
"With that size, she could probably eat the whole stadium," he added with a scowl.
Beep.
"Hm? Woah—!" The ground beneath me vanished this time. My heart lurched. I flailed—
—but Rona caught my wrist just in time.
"Thanks Rona!"
Isaac was already there, helping pull me back up.
As I dangled from the edge, a cold, slimy sensation slithered up my leg.
"…Guys?" My voice trembled. "Do you see something on my leg?"
Isaac leaned over, then recoiled. His face twisted in revulsion. "…Yup. Monica's tongue. It's… there."
"WHAT?!" I screeched. "How long is her tongue?! Hey, MONICA! Would it kill you not to eat for one second?!"
"Aww, Monica likes you," Rona said with a dreamy smile.
"Sadly, I have to reject her." I kicked furiously, but the tongue wouldn't budge.
Ouiii… This reminds me of that first dream.
Isaac looked away and his face turned pale. "G-G-Guys? T-The—"
"Isaac! Less talking, more pulling!" I barked.
"B-BALL! COMING!" he shouted.
"Oui?!" I twisted around—only to see a blazing fireball barreling toward us.
"PULL ME UP!" I screamed. "HURRY! I've got an idea! And Monica—don't let go! I've got something you've never tasted before!"
Monica roared.
Isaac and Rona pulled me back in—Monica's tongue slithered back.
"Oh no you don't!" I grabbed the tongue.
"What are you doing?!" Isaac yelled. "The ball's coming!"
"I know! Trust me. Just help me pull!"
"Eww... No. You nuts?" Isaac shook his head.
"Stop being such a wuss and grab it already!" I exploded at Isaac.
"Ugh, I swear—" Isaac gagged. "Fine! I'm blaming you if I puke!"
Together, we hauled Monica's tongue further into the box. The fireball roared, growing louder.
Monica wailed. The tongue twisted, trying to retreat, but we held on, even as it drenched us in spit.
"Come on! FASTER!" I roared, sweat and saliva soaking my sleeves.
"I think I'm gonna hurl!" Isaac gasped.
BOOM.
The fireball rolled over Monica's tongue—and the scream that followed shook the arena.
Flames licked downwards, consuming the massive creature. The sprinklers kicked in, but it was too late.
Monica's shrieks turned into silence.
When the fire finally died, there was nothing left but scorched charcoal.
We collapsed backward, breathless, drenched in saliva and steam.
"…I'm covered in spit," Isaac groaned.
"Be grateful there's no poison in it." I sniffed my hand and nearly passed out from the smell.
I wiped it on the floor, still staring at the ashes. "Guess that's what happens when you get greedy."
Isaac muttered, "This was your plan? I can't believe I'm saying this, but… I kinda feel bad for Monica."
"No—I didn't mean to burn her. I just wanted her to taste her own medicine," I muttered. "Didn't think she'd go up like a bonfire at a festival…"
"Never underestimate a woman's wrath," Isaac sighed.
"Monica… dead?" Rona's eyes glistened.
"Yup. Llyne killed her," Isaac said, pointing at me.
I slapped his arm. "Hey! Rona—look, I wasn't trying to—"
"That was SO COOL!" Rona twirled. "BIG fire! Sparkles! So exciting!"
"…Cool?" I blinked.
"Like fireworks!" she squealed.
"Oh! MONICA!" Mr. James dropped to his knees dramatically. "My darling mascot! Only five years old, taken too soon!"
"…That thing was five?" Isaac looked horrified.
Mr. James turned to us with a murderous glare. "Just you wait… I'll KILL you three…"
"What did I do?!" Isaac cried.
"You're an accomplice, idiot." I elbowed him.
But the crowd?
They cheered.
The arena erupted in roars of excitement, whistles, and stomping feet.
Mr. James rose to his feet and forced a smile. "Ladies and gentlemen… What a jaw-dropping performance! Truly one for the history books! Let's give a thunderous applause to our surviving bunnies!"
"Two-faced," Isaac hissed.
The cheers shook the box itself.
Rona clung to me, starry-eyed. "Are we idols now?"
"She still thinks this is a concert," Isaac muttered.
"Maybe…" I replied with a weak smile.
"You know," Isaac added, "I still can't believe they're cheering after you torched their mascot."
"We. We torched her. And it was an accident," I huffed. "Blame her designer for making her that flammable."
Isaac shrugged, not arguing.
"Due to the unfortunate loss of our dear Monica," Mr. James sighed dramatically, "we'll end today's game early. Please return in two days for the next challenge."
A glowing blue screen popped up, filled with comment options and ratings.
"And don't forget to leave a review, darlings!" Mr. James winked. "As always, I'm your single and still available emcee, Mr. James. Love and kisses—bye bye!"
Bzzt.
He vanished.
"…A hologram?" Isaac blinked. "He looked so real."
The translucent walls reappeared. Brute guards emerged, yanking us back into the tunnels.
"Are we stuck here again for two days?" I groaned, flopping to the floor.
"Don't you lambs dare try anything!" one of the brutes growled, cracking a massive stone into dust with one hand.
I elbowed Rona and Isaac. "Think he was a Monica fan?"
"If he is, you'd better sleep with one eye open," Isaac muttered.
"Maybe he'll give you special treatment," Rona whispered.
"Ouiii… That's exactly what I'm afraid of."
"How many of us are left?" I asked.
Isaac peeked around, did a quick count. "Fifty-five."
"Almost half gone."
"It's only the first game. Don't be surprised."
I lay back, exhausted. "I'm so tired. My stamina wasn't this bad before…"
"Well, we did run non-stop for forty-five minutes from a fireball and a giant monster," Isaac pointed out.
"…Fair point." I yawned. "Wake me if there's an announcement."
"Goodnight, Llyne! Sleep well!" Rona chirped.
"Thanks, Rona…"
I turned to my side, arm under my head, eyes fluttering shut.
I wonder how Iz is holding up… She'd freak out if she knew I went missing.
And Mom…
My chest tightened.
I keep feeling like she's not dead. Like I'll see her again soon.
I frowned.
But I was there… Wasn't I? I saw her in bed, I think. But it was dark… Did I really see her?
"…Ouiii… Ma…"
My thoughts drifted away as sleep finally pulled me under.